Document Type

Encyclopedia Entry

Publication Date

2010

Publication Source

Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory

Abstract

The concept of “defensible space” was first explicated by Oscar Newman in a 1972 book by the same title. The concept, which contains elements of a theory of crime as well as a set of urban design principles, became popular in the 1970s as urban crime problems continued to rise. Defensible space was discussed, utilized, and critiqued widely by criminologists and other social scientists, as well as urban planners, law enforcement officials, and architects.

The design concepts have also been implemented in numerous communities in the United States and around the world. Later works by Newman, including Community of Interest and Creating Defensible Space provide further elaboration of his ideas.

Inclusive pages

665-668

ISBN/ISSN

9781412959186

Document Version

Published Version

Comments

This document is made available for download in compliance with the publisher policy on self-archiving. Permission documentation is on file. To inquire about the encyclopedia, see its entry on the publisher's website.

Original citation: Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory, Frank Cullen and Pamela Wilcox, eds. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing (2010).

Publisher

Sage Publishing

Place of Publication

Thousand Oaks, CA

Peer Reviewed

yes


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